A research team at MIT has developed a new method of creating magnetic soft robots that provides locomotion under unidirectional magnetic fields. The team combined fiber-based fabrication systems with mechanical and magnetic programming methods to create 3D soft robots that can be controlled using magnets. The development of these robots is an important advancement in
Technology
With the increasing demands of consumers, 3D integrated circuits are a crucial component for improving the efficiency of electronics. However, despite constant development, it is difficult to turn theoretical findings into actual devices. A team of researchers from the Institute of Industrial Science at The University of Tokyo, Japan has developed a new design that
For centuries, machines have been used to make music. In ancient bell towers in Belgium and the Netherlands, carillons still play music that can be programmed by humans or played by themselves. Humans have always been interested in how technology can help them control the dimension of time in music, says music researcher Bjørnar Sandvik
A New York-based lawyer, Steven Schwartz, has apologized to a judge for submitting a brief with false information generated by the OpenAI chatbot. Schwartz had used ChatGPT to prepare a court filing in a civil case being heard by Manhattan federal court. The case involves Roberto Mata, who claims he was injured when a metal
Researchers at the University of Bristol have developed a new device made from a simple sponge that can help robots grasp objects more delicately, by mimicking the nuanced touch, or variable stiffness, of a human hand. The device can be used to improve the load capacity of soft robots or reduce damage on hard robots.
Researchers at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) have developed smart digital image sensors with visual perception capabilities. The team, led by Dayanand Kumar and Nazek El-Atab, used the Nobel Prize-winning technology of charge-coupled device (CCD) image sensors to create light-sensitive memory devices that can be programmed optically and erased electrically. What
Researchers at Cornell University and the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems have developed a new technique to expand the collective behaviour of swarming microrobots. The technique involves mixing different sizes of robots, which enables them to self-organise into diverse patterns that can be manipulated when a magnetic field is applied. The approach could lead
The ability to anticipate and predict the emotions of others is a cognitive skill known as theory of mind. MIT neuroscientists have developed a computational model that can predict other people’s emotions, including joy, gratitude, confusion, regret, and embarrassment. The model was created based on the prisoner’s dilemma, a classic game theory scenario in which
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that airlines will fly a near-record 4.35 billion passengers this year, and the industry is expected to post net profits of $9.8 billion in 2023, which is double the previous estimates. However, despite this positive outlook, the industry’s post-pandemic recovery remains fragile. The IATA also revised its estimated
Green shipping corridors are being developed along major shipping routes to reduce planet-warming carbon emissions from the shipping industry. Shipping is responsible for almost 3% of the world’s total greenhouse gas emissions, and this figure is rising. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) aims to halve greenhouse gas emissions from shipping by mid-century and may seek
Neuralink is a neurotechnology company co-founded by Elon Musk in 2016. The company’s goal is to create direct communication channels between the human brain and computers. The technology would mainly work through an implant called the “Link,” which is about the size of five stacked coins. The hardware would contain electrodes capable of both recording
The development of artificial intelligence (AI) programs has made it easier for people to access them, leading to the creation of deep fakes. A recent example of this is an AI-generated image of an explosion near the Pentagon that made headlines online and even slightly impacted the stock market until it was quickly deemed a
In the digital age, companies are constantly releasing improved versions of their products to capture value from their digital innovations. This process of generational product innovation (GPI) brings several benefits, such as faster and less costly iteration compared to upgrading hardware. However, a 2021 study from Singapore Management University warns that this strategy can have
Advances in technology have led to the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms in various sectors, including security applications. Image classification and identification are essential features of AI algorithms used in facial recognition, biometrics, drones, and autonomous vehicles deployed in combat surveillance and military targeting applications. However, these algorithms are vulnerable to cyberattacks. The data
Elon Musk’s start-up Neuralink has been granted approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to test its brain implants in humans. This is a significant milestone for the company, which aims to develop technology that will allow brains to interface directly with computers. Musk has previously stated that the ultimate goal of the
